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LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J.  – The Kennesaw State men's basketball team had two looks at the end of the game to win or extend the game to overtime against Rider, but couldn't get either to fall in Alumni Gym as the Owls fell 81-79 in Lawrenceville, New Jersey to start off the Gotham Classic.
 
Trailing by five with the clock winding down, Kendrick Ray hit a three with 21 seconds remaining. On the ensuing inbounds pass, Ray stole the ball giving the Owls two chances to win or tie the game and force overtime, but couldn't get either look to fall.
 
Kennesaw State had four players score in double figures with Nick Masterson leading the way with 19 on 7-10 shooting.
 
To start the game, both teams shot the ball well, but it was Rider that surged out to a lead. The Broncs built up a nine-point cushion just four minutes into the game.
 
Out of the second media timeout, the Owls erased the nine-point deficit after being sparked by Johannes Nielsen and James Scott off the bench. A Masterson three followed by a Nielsen layup capped a 10-0 run by Kennesaw State to take the lead back from the Broncs.
 
Nielsen kept the Owls out front until late in the half when Rider held KSU scoreless the final 3:44 of the half, but the Owls only trailed 37-34 at the break.
 
Rider started the second half similar to the first building a 10-point lead after back-to-back three pointers by Jimmie Taylor forcing KSU to use a timeout.
 
Behind Masterson and Scott, the Owls mounted another comeback after the duo hit three straight three pointers pulling KSU to within one point with 10:42 remaining.
 
Kennesaw State continued their offensive run four minutes later taking their largest lead in the second half at 67-63, but couldn't hold Rider back as the Broncs responded to go back up by seven with 3:21 remaining.
 
Playing in front of family and friends, Scott didn't give up, scoring the next five points for Kennesaw State to bring the Owls within five. After the Broncs went 1-2 from the free throw line, Ray hit a three with 21 seconds left before stealing the ensuing inbounds pass.
 
With one last gasp, KSU got the ball into the hot hand, but Scott's three-point attempt was too strong and after an offensive rebound and put back attempt by Ray missed, Rider hung on for the victory against Kennesaw State.
 
Scott saw his first action in a collegiate game at Rider and stepped up with 16 points going 6-10 from the field.
 
Led by Scott and Nielsen, the Owls bench outscored the Broncs 32-6.

KSU will continue the Gotham Classic at UMass on Saturday, December 17 at 1 p.m.

#NestNotes

• The Owls had four players in double figures led by Masterson with 17. The others were Ray with 18 and Nielsen and Scott with 16.
• Returning to his home state, Scott saw his first collegiate action against Rider and showed up big for the Owls scoring 16 points on 6-10 shooting in 21 minutes.
• Tonight's two-point loss was the third time this season, KSU has lost by one possession. Overall, the Owls are 1-3 in one-possession games this season with the win coming at Florida A&M.
• With the loss to Rider, Kennesaw State is 0-1 in the Gotham Classic.

 
 To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State men's basketball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsMBB or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.